The Diamondbacks have desperately searching for a third baseman as every option they run out there appears to be worse then the previous one.  Finally they have turned to the minor leagues for help, recalling Ryan Wheeler.  Can he emerge as the potent bat they lust for?  Let’s take a look at everything we need to know about him to try and help decide:

• 24-years old
• Left-handed hitter
• Primarily has played 3B in the minor leagues (also saw time at 1B and OF)
• Drafted in the fifth round in 2009 (156th overall)
• In 362 AB at Triple-A (PCL) was hitting .351 with 15 HR, 90 RBI, 56 R and 3 SB
• The RBI total led all minor leaguers at the time of his recall
• While the power was definitely aided by the league, he also had 27 doubles and 4 triples; additionally he had 30 doubles, 2 triples and 16 HR in 480 AB at Double-A in 2011, so it is not a complete aberration (for career had 33 doubles, 2 triples and 19 HR in 547 AB at Double-A)
• The average was buoyed by a .388 BABIP, but he does have a .313 average in the minor leagues and showed an improvement in his strikeout rate in ’12 (16.8% vs. 19.2% in ’11)
• Has shown the ability to hit southpaws in ’12, with a .302 average and 2 HR in 86 AB this season
• Hit over .300 with at least 20 RBI in each of the first three months of the season (.283 with 14 RBI in 60 AB in July)
• He has actually been struggling at the plate of late, hitting .258 (8-31) over his last 10 games before being recalled
• Prior to the season Baseball America did not have him ranked among the Diamondbacks Top 10 prospects; mlb.com had him ranked #17 (listing him as a 1B)
• Mlb.com described him by saying, “He can hit for average and some power and has a pretty good idea of what he’s doing at the plate. He’s been splitting time between first and third, with the former perhaps his long-term home, though a career as an offensive-minded utility guy is nothing to sneeze at.”
• John Sickels of minorleagueball.com gave Wheeler a C+ grade prior to the season (ranking him 14th among Diamondbacks prospects) saying, “Glove is mediocre but he should be able to hit enough to hold a bench job as a 3B-1B-PH type for the right team.”
• Wheeler was quoted by mlb.com (click here for the article) as saying, “My power numbers weren’t off the charts, I just kept a good approach and put a lot of balls up the middle, those hits work here, too” Wheeler said. “I think if I stick with what I’m doing, I’ll be fine. I’ve always been a gap-to-gap guy.”

Conclusion:
He may not play every day immediately, though he definitely represents a potentially major upgrade over what the Diamondbacks have gotten from their third baseman thus far.  Entering Saturday Diamondback third baseman where hitting .230 with 10 HR, 44 RBI and 30 R.

Obviously, Wheeler’s numbers would be a tremendous step up if they can translate to the Major Leagues.  All accounts prior to the season referenced him as a potential utility player, but it would appear like he has taken a step forward this season and has a chance to play regularly.  He may not hit .300 or develop into a 30 HR hitter, but he has the ability to hit .280+ with 20 HR in the Major Leagues.  In deeper formats, that makes him worth adding in all formats.

Make sure to check out some of our other recent Meet the Prospect articles:

• Anthony Gose
• Matt Harvey
• Dan Straily
• Shawn Tolleson